An Assignment

On
Environmental laws in developed and developing countries and
its enforcement

Course Title: Environmental Law, Protocol and Ethics

Course Code: ESD411

Submitted to:
Zakia Sultana
Lecturer, Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management

Submitted by:
16ESD025
4th Year, 1st Semester
Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science & Technology University

Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management

Date of Submission: 15 March, 2020

Table of Contents
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1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..3-4

2. Sources of Environmental Pollution………………………………………………...4-5

3. Environmental Issues in Developing Countries……………………………………...6

4. Environmental Position and Situation of these Sectors in Bangladesh……………6-7

5. Environmental Policy and Planning of Bangladesh Government…………..……..7-9

6. Action Plan or Planning Regarding Environment Policy…………………………..9-13

7. Environment Policy of Developed Countries……………………………………….13-18

8. Comparative Analysis of the Environment Policy between Bangladesh and Developed

Countries……………………………………………………………………………..… 18-20

9. Enforcement of Environmental Laws……………………………………….……..21-23

10. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………..23-24

11. References…………………………………………………………………………...24-25

1. Introduction

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Economic activities are closely linked to real-world environmental issues. Economic
activities can improve or damage environmental quality, which in turn may facilitate or
impede economic operations. Currently, environmental protection and sustainable
development have permeated every aspect of human social and economic activities.

Environmental problems are usually caused by the negative externalities of economic

activities, which means that economic actors add external costs to society through pollution
without paying the corresponding social costs. In the absence of regulation, individuals tend
to overexploit the environment at their own advantage. Therefore, environmental problems
cannot be solved by simple market mechanisms: most countries implement environmental
regulations. Thus, strengthening environmental protection and reinforcing environmental
regulations have become key issues, especially in developed countries (Vogel 2009).

Developing countries, whose economic development and technological levels are relatively
low, are facing a dilemma. On the one hand, due to the significant role of industrialization in
promoting economic growth, these countries urgently need to develop new industry.
However, because they are limited by their technological level, capital strength and human
capital, ‘pollution-intensive’ industries are their first choice, with the consequence of huge
costs to the environment. When facing the choice between economic development and
environmental protection, the former gets preference due to the ‘common view’ that firms
have already made an optimum choice in real economic activity, where the implementation of
environmental regulations will increase the cost of production, thus impeding
competitiveness and economic development (Denison 1979; Gollop and Roberts 1983).
Furthermore, developing countries assume that their ‘pollution-intensive’ industries will be
negatively affected by an increase of stringent environmental regulations. Besides this,
environmental regulations in developed countries always tend to be more stringent than those
in developing countries, which leads public opinion to be sensitive to the potentially negative
effects of environmental policy on international trade and industrial competitiveness (IC).

In this light, academics and policymakers pay significant attention to questions pertaining the
adoption of stringent environmental regulations and whether this will hinder industrial and
national competitiveness (Wallace 1995). The enforcement of environmental laws is not a
new problem. Many countries and numerous organizations, both domestic and international,
have been debating this problem for years (Hamamoto,2006). However, with the continued

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growth of economies all over the world, environmental protection has been pushed to the
forefront of international affairs.

2. Sources of Environmental Pollution

Environment enters as an input into the production function of many goods. For example,
steel cannot be manufactured without using environment as a dumping ground for pollution.
Let E denote the input of environment into the production function, the production function
now becomes-

Y = Af (K, L E) … … … … … … … (1)

If the firm uses a little E, that is equivalent to disposing only a small amount of pollution; a
large E would correspond to dumping a large amount of pollution. Production of output now
involves L, K and E, representing labour, capital and environment respectively. If the
environment is cheap to use (no regulation or low level of regulation) firms will tend to use a
good deal of E. On the other hand if environment becomes more expensive to use (tight
regulation or high Pigouvian fee) firms would substitute other factors, such as capital, in
place of E.

The famous Say’s law states that production is for consumption. Hence not only production
but consumption also contributes towards pollution. Thus, this make production the
primary and consumption the secondary source of pollution as one can consume what is
produced first. The following figure provides sub-heads under the main production and
consumption heads.

Figure 1: Sub Sources of Production and Consumption Engaged in Generating Pollution

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Production is treated as the primary cause of pollution, as it involves the whole cycle of
extracting and processing natural resources and then manufacturing and selling processed
goods. Manufacturing industries, power generation, road, rail and air transport and
agriculture and timber production are the major polluting production sectors which can
further be segmented down into many other industries/sub-industries. The secondary source
of pollution is consumption, refers to consumption by residential, commercial and social
sectors which utilise the goods offered by the production side. Hence any industry belonging
to either production or consumption plays its part in polluting the environment. The Figure 2,
further, tell us that the pollution generated by production—consumption process was
partially recycled to some extent, not fully, and the rest was dumped to pollute the
physical environment. Environmental Pollution is mainly divided into three components,
air pollution, noise pollution and water pollution.

The best way to evaluate effects of environmental pollution over human environment
is to compare it with the well known human development index (HDI) which is
designed to account for the basic yardstick indicators of living standard prevailing in a
country. HDI is a composite index of human development that includes income (GNI),
education and health. Pollution is the cost of economic growth via increased
industrialization especially in developing countries where environmental laws usually do not
exist or are relatively less strict. Hence growth and pollution are positively linked in
developing countries expectedly. Low educational attainment is usually associated with
high polluting countries. Finally, countries with high pollution level experiences low
health conditions and deteriorated health indicators (Naveed et al. 2013). Thus on overall
basis, HDI index is expected to be inversely related to pollution levels prevailing in a nation.

Following Human Development Report (2011) by 2050, projection-scenarios exercises

recommends that facing current “environmental challenge” it was estimated that HDI
would be declined by 8 percent worldwide from the baseline figure while the decline for
South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa will be 12 percent. As in the case of “environmental
disaster scenario the global HDI is expected to fall 15 percent down from the projected
baseline. “Environmental challenge” is one that accounts for negative global warming effects
on agro-based production, clean water accessibility, sanitation facilities improvement and
finally on pollution. While “environmental disaster” scenario deals with the adverse
disaster effects caused by deforestation, degradation of land, sharply deteriorating
biodiversity and boosting extreme weather occurrences.

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3. Environmental Issues in Developing Countries

Since Bangladesh is a developing or emerging country, in this paper Bangladesh has been
used to represent all developing countries. Bangladesh government has addressed 15 broad
sectors to address overall environmental issues. These are agriculture, industry, health,
energy, water development, Flood Control and Irrigation Land Forest, Wild Life and
Biodiversity, Fisheries and Livestock, Marine Environment Coastal and Marine Environment
Communication and Transportation Housing and urbanization Population Education and
public Awareness Science, Technology and Research Science, Technology and Research.

4. Environmental Position and Situation of these Sectors in Bangladesh

Number and frequency of cyclone in Bangladesh is increasing at alarming rate. Million

livestock and several hundred human lives were lost as a result of cyclone in Bangladesh in
1970, 1985, 1988 and 1999. Frequent incidence of disaster added new dimension to the
necessity of having effective environment policy to protect environment. It is said that
Environment protection through an effective environment policy can guide better
management of natural disaster (Huq, N. 2008).

Bangladesh is facing severe environmental degradation in various areas. Though the

population growth of Bangladesh has been reduced significantly but still Bangladesh is very
populous country. Increase of population increases the demand for consumption and which
ultimately exploits and degrades natural resources (Huq, S.; Rahman, A. A. and Mallick,
D.1998). Severe land pollution, water pollution, air pollution, degradation in natural
resources, bio-diversity, and forest land occurred in Bangladesh. (Huq, S..Rahman, and
Mallick, D.1998). Some may argue that as poor country Bangladesh does not have enough
capacity to address environmental challenges. But Salnykov, M. and Zelenyu, V. (1999)
believes that both rich and poor country can be environment efficient.

At the present time, environment is faced with such kind of problem, these are acute problem
in Bangladesh, and briefly these are discussed below-

(a) Air Pollution: Air pollution influence total environment by providing chief availability
of air polluting energy. The impact of air pollution results in asthma, cancer and lung disease,
poisonous blood, vertigo, vomiting tendency, child mortality , tiredness and irritation.

(b) Water Pollution: Water pollution is degrading environment because a large portion of

environment is occupied by water. The impacts are diarrhea, skin diseases, fish disease, and

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decreased rate of production of micro organism in water, direct injection of infectious agent
through fish in human body and decrease of oxygen in water.

 (c) Deforestation: The percentage of forest land is declining. The impacts of deforestation
are desertification, global warming, increased rate of lung
disease because of high level of CO2 at atmosphere, loss of animal biodiversity, groundwater
level has gone down, natural production of plants is obstructed and largescale extinctions of
medicinal plants.

 (d) Sound Pollution: Sound pollution is increasing with the increasing number of transport,
increasing use of radio, television and sound box, use of mike in meeting and procession.
Sound pollution results in heart attack, risk of high blood pressure, hit on ear drum, tiredness,
negative impact on children, headache, brain stress or emotional stress and lack of
concentration.

These are occurred because of environmental degradation, the environmental position is

ironically worse than develop countries. Environmental degradation refers to the deterioration
in its physical component brought by human activities to such an extent that it cannot be set
right by the self regulatory mechanism of the environment Most of the indicators of
environmental quality in Bangladesh are now far worse than in the developed countries.
Ironically, this neglect of environment has not led to a narrowing of the income-gap.
According to the World Bank statistics, per capita income of Bangladesh and the USA
in1975 was $150 and $8,070 respectively. In 1998 the corresponding figures were $350
and$29,340, respectively. Thus, over these twenty-three years the absolute size of per-capita
income gap has increased from $7,920 to $28,990. Meanwhile a yawning environment-gap
has emerged.

5. Environmental Policy and Planning of Bangladesh Government

In 1985 Department of Pollution Control Ordinance was established which subsequently

renamed and structured as Department of Environment (DOE) (Aminuzzaman, S. M. 2010).
Bangladesh has an environment policy which was formulated on 1992. At that time it was a
new experience for Bangladesh to deal with environment policy. For each of the sectors some
goals and targets are mentioned. Then the necessary action plan to achieve these goals and
targets are also mentioned.

5.1 National Environment Policy (NEP), 1992

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Bangladesh National Environment Policy approved in May 1992.

(a) Key elements of the Environment Policy are maintenance of the ecological balance and
overall progress, maintenance of the ecological balance and overall progress and
development of the country through protection and improvement of the environment and
improvement of the environment, Protection of the country against natural disasters.

(b) Identification and regulation of all types of activities which identification and regulation
of all types of activities which pollute and degrade the environment.

(c) Ensuring proper environment impact assessment prior to undertaking of industrial and
sustainable use of all natural resources.

(d) Environmental activities encompass all geographical regions and development sectorsof
the country.

(e) Environment Policy is delineated in 15 sectors. These are agriculture, industry,

health,energy, water development, Flood Control and Irrigation Land Forest, Wild Life and
Biodiversity, Fisheries and Livestock, Marine Environment Coastal and Marine Environment
Communication and Transportation Housing and urbanization Population Education and
public Awareness Science, Technology and Research Science, Technology and Research.

5.2 National Environment Policy, MEAs and Bangladesh

The policy recognizes that since global and regional environmental pollution and degradation
affect the nature, environment and resource base of Bangladesh, is essential to have
coordinated vigilance and undertake necessary action programme to address such issues. It is
necessary to undertake activities at local and national level. It is also feasible and essential to
ensure improvement of national environment and thus global environment at large, as well as
environmentally sound and sustainable use of resource through regional and global
cooperation in relevant fields. (Taufiq Akhter)

5.3 Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA)

It was launched in 2000 to create a nationwide, united, and strong civic movement to protect
Bangladesh’s environment. The environment of Bangladesh is deteriorating fast. Urban air
quality is plummeting. Ground water is contaminated. Surface water bodies are getting
polluted, encroached, and degraded. Solid fluid, gaseous, and hazardous wastes are
overflowing. Health conditions are worsening due to pollution. Unless these processes of

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degradation are slowed down and reversed, the country’s economic, social, cultural, and
human progress will be gradually hampered, and Bangladesh will become unlivable in the
long-term.

5.4 Forest Policy 1955

Forest Policy and Environment Policy of Bangladesh Forest Policy 1979. The main feature of
this 1979 policy - Forests should be carefully preserved and scientifically managed
Government forests should not be used for non - forestry purpose Timber resource should be
increased by establishing large Timber resource should be increased by establishing large
scale plantations Modern technologies should be employed for extraction and utilization of
forest produce Forest based industries should be setup Research, education and training
should be re-organized to meet the scientific, technological and administrative needs of the
country. Forestry sector should be organized and relevant laws should be updated Steps
should be taken to conserve forest and wildlife and utilize the recreational potentiality of the
forestry sector Mass motivation should be initiated and technical assistance extended to those
interested in forestry.

5.5 Integrating Environment and Climate Change into Sectoral Policies

A consultative process is required for integrating environment and climate change issues into
sectoral policies, resources are required for integrating these issues into the sect-oral policies.
Climate change issue is already incorporated in the National Water Policy, which could be
used as an example for other sectoral policies, Non-government research and policy
institutes, academicians, and participation of civil service organizations will make it more
acceptable to society.

5.6 Institutional Capacity Building

Lack of institutional capability has been identified as a major constraint in implementing

policy, and enforcing environmental acts and regulations. In addition, promoting a strong
network among researchers and policy makers will enable quality research, and sharing of
knowledge and experiences towards better implementation of policies.

6. Action Plan or Planning Regarding Environment Policy

For each of the policy and sectors some goals and targets are mentioned. Then the necessary
action plan to achieve these goals and targets are also mentioned here.

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NEMAP (National Environment Management Action): It was developed for a period of
10 years from 1995 to 2005 still likely to have influence in shaping policy directives
regarding the environmental issues.

a) Maintenance of the ecological balance and overall progress and development of the
country through protection and improvement of the environment;

b) Protection of the country against natural disaster;

c) Identification and control of all types of activities related to pollution and degradation
of environment;

d) Undertaking environmentally sound development programs in all sectors;

e) Sustainable long term and environmentally congenial utilization of all natural

resources.

Agriculture:

a) Field based national level survey to know the soil condition

b) Effective steps will be taken on the basis of results of such a survey
c) Use of chemical insecticides and pesticides has to be regulated
d) Use of quickly degradable chemicals may be allowed
e) Proper use of fertilizer will be ensured
f) Use of synthetic fibers will be reduced and use of natural fibers will be encouraged.

Industrial Sector:

a) Steps will be taken to shift the industries located in residential areas to appropriate
locations. Planned industrial zones will be delineated.

b) Industries using heavy metals such as mercury, chromium lead, etc. will be initially
discouraged and finally prohibited

c) Polluting industries will install their own polluting monitoring devices

d) To facilitate waste disposal management, ‘waste permit / consent order’ system will
be established in the industrial sector. Recycling will be encouraged

Health and Sanitation:

a) Integrate environmental concerns into the national health policy

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 b) Incorporate environmental issues is health education curriculum

c) Develop healthy environment in the rural and urban areas

d) Ensure healthy workplace for workers

Energy and Fuel:

a) Reduce and discourage the use of those fuels which pollute the environment and.
increase the use of environmentally sound and less harmful fuels.

b) Developed improved energy saving technology and proliferate its use.

c) Conserve country’s fossil fuel reserves and renewable sources of energy.

Water development, Flood Control and Irrigation

a) Ensure environmentally sound utilization of all water resources.

b) Ensure that water development activities and irrigation net-works do no create

adverse environmental impact.

c) Keep the rivers, canals, ponds, lakes, haors (wetland), baors (wetland) and all other
water bodies and water resources free from pollution.

Land:

a) Prevent land erosion, preserve and increase soil fertility, and expand activities for
conservation and environmentally sound management of newly accreted land.

b) Encourage land use systems compatible with various eco-system.

c) Prevent spread of salinity and alkalinity on land.

Forest, Wildlife and Bio-diversity:

a) Include tree plantation program in all relevant development schemes.

b) Stop shrinkage and depletion of forest land and forest resources.

c) Develop and encourage use of substitutes of forest products.

Fisheries and Livestock:

Ensure appropriate environment for the conservation and development of fisheries and
livestock.

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Food:

a) Dispose rotten or harmful food stuff and food crops in an environmentally acceptable
manner.

b) Prohibit import of food items likely to create adverse impact on the environment and
public health.

Coastal and Marine Environment:

a) Prevent all internal and external activities polluting the coastal and marine areas.

b) Limit coastal and marine fish catch within tolerable regeneration limits.

Transport and Communication:

a) Ensure that vehicles and people using roads, rails, air and inland waterways do not
pollute the environment and take steps to protect health of the workers running these
transports.

b) Control activities in inland ports and dockyards which cause pollution of water and
the local environment.

Housing and Urbanization:

a) Integrate environmental considerations into all housing and urban planning activities
and research

b) Focus greater importance on the role of water bodies in enhancing beautification of

the cities

Population:

a) Ensure integrated, planned and environmentally sound utilization of manpower

b) Ensure the role of women in development

c) Encourage utilization of unemployment manpower in development activities

Education and Public Awareness:

a) Ensure inclusion and dissemination of environmental knowledge and information in

the formal and informal systems of education and media

b) Induce spontaneous and direct participation of people in all environmental activities

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 c) Incorporate environmental issues in all government and non-government program and
also in such program for industrial and commercial worker.

Science, Technology and Research:

a) Research and technology innovation on environmental protection, development and

proper utilization of resources will be strengthened.

b) Environmental considerations should be integrated in all priority areas highlighted in

the National Policy of Science and Technology, 1986.

c) All research and development institution will specifically consider programs and
revise them if needed.

Legal Framework:

a) Amend all laws and regulations related to protection of environment, conservation of

natural resources, and control of environmental pollution and degradation with a view
to meet present day’s need.

b) Frame new laws in all sectors necessary to control activities concerning

environmental pollution and degradation.

c) Ensure proper implementation of all relevant laws and regulations and create wide
spread public awareness in this regard.

7. Environment Policy of Developed Countries

The environment policy of developed countries are mentioned here. The environment policy
of develop country, North America, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Australia, Scandinavian
Countries, Nordic Countries, are included.

7.1 Environment Policy of North America

North American environmental policy provides an overview of how the US, Mexico, and
Canada differ in their environmental management approaches and capacity levels, and how
these differences play into cross-border cooperation on environmental problems. The policies
are following.

The Strategy of This Policy:

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 a) To cope with the present situation how to develop the economy, they have found out a
strategy, this is reduction of poverty.

b) The adapt implement of land resources.

c) The proper use of ground resources such as water.

d) They have tried to increase the use of renewable resources.

Implementation and Achievement of this Policy:

The implementation of this policy are stated below

a) Conservation of nature’s vitality and diversity of the environment and try to improve.

b) Continuous improvement in the quality of the environment.

c) Sustainable use of natural resources for the purpose of community and country.

d) The decision making process is integrated which is called integrated decision making

e) Role of the private sector are inevitable, they imply it.

f) Transparency and accountability of every sector.

g) Active participation in the environment community for improving the situation.

Having much achievement for improving the environment of North America, these are also
mentioned.

a) Healthy communities and ecosystems are better than before.

b) Environmental health of vulnerable communities is devoted in North America.

c) Increase resilience of shared ecosystems at risk but at present it is developed.

d) Enhance regional approaches to sound management of chemicals

e) Strengthen regional enforcement and wildlife law enforcement is ultimate.

f) Climate Change, Low-Carbon Economy are also achieved.

g) Greening the Economy in North America.

7.2 Environment Policy of Western Europe Perspective

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Western Europe consists of 9 countries; these countries are Austria, Belgium, France,
Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, and Switzerland. Various
environmental problems are existed here such as air pollution, water pollution, industry, tree
damage, energy production, climate changes etc.

The strategy of this policy is mentioned for easily understanding. It is mentioned in briefly.

a) Reduced climate impact to context of situation.

b) Clean air must be ensured by the people of this country.

c) A protective ozone layer creates.

d) A safe energy environment ensures for each and every people of this country,

e) Effective water management must be ensured.

f) A balanced marine environment.

g) Sustainable forests are created by the people so that every people fell equal.

h) A varied agricultural land should distribute equally.

Western European countries are achieved these objectives. These are given below-

1. Promotion and protection of fundamental rights are ensured.

2. Making polluters pay for everyone.

3. Improvement of the environment and quality of life are better from before,

4. Education for sustain development.

5. Involvement of citizens is increased.

6. Public participation in environmental decision making.

7. Sustainable use of natural resources.

8. Public Health is also ensured here.

9. Global poverty and sustainable development challenges are not challenge here.

10. Prevention and recycling of waste system is good at the present time.

11. Sustainable use of pesticides and use of natural resources.

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7.3 Environment Policy of Asia Pacific

The environmental situation are not better from other countries, rapid development has led to
industrial pollution, degradation of natural resources, increasing levels of poverty and
inequitable income distribution.

The government of this country has found out some sector in this environmental issues and
try to develop it.

a) Freshwater resources should ensure.

b) Marine and coastal environment should improve.

c) Air pollution is also existed because of people.

d) Climate changing is becoming more.

e) Natural disasters are increasing day to day life.

f) Land degradation is becoming acute day by day.

g) Forest and biodiversity are acute problem here.

h) Hazardous substance and waste.

They find out some sustainable system for improving the condition of environment.

a) Regional responses addressing sustainable development should ensure for every

place.

b) Mechanisms and initiatives for improving environmental governance system.

c) Sub-regional mechanisms and initiatives must be ensured by this policy.

7.4 Environment Policy of Australia

Environmental Policy Statement:

It is necessary for continuous economic, social and cultural progress and enhancement of the
quality of life of Australians, through environmentally sound and sustainable development to
ensure the better life.

a) Complying with all appropriate commitments of the in progress government,

including pertinent legislation, policies and values.

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 b) Upholding the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development and
Intergenerational Equity;

c) Maintaining the Environmental Management System.

d) Reducing carbon footprint has to ensure.

e) Preventing pollution will be ensured.

f) Continuously reviewing environmental aspects and impacts must be decreased.

Achievement to Imply This Policy:

a) Minimizing energy and water consumption than before.

b) Minimizing the amount of waste to landfill generated by operations and activities of

the government.

c) Communicating relevant environmental information in order to facilitate a strong

environmental ethos within the Department, including staff, contractors and other
stakeholders.

7.5 Environment Policy of Scandinavian Countries

Geographically, the Scandinavian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in Europe. There are
some environmental indicators of Scandinavian countries. Those are mentioned here.

Environmental Issues Sectors:

a) Waste management.

b) Biodiversity.

c) Marine and coastal issues.

d) Energy efficiency.

e) Agriculture.

f) Sustainable development.

Achievement of this Policy:

a) Minimizing the amount of waste to landfill generated by operations and activities of

the government.

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 b) Regional responses addressing sustainable development should ensure for every
place.

7.6 Environment Policy of Nordic Countries

Environment policy of Nordic countries are developed because of some strategic of this
policy. By finding out some key points these are given.

a) Reduced climate impact to protect the all over the situation of this country.

b) A non-toxic environment, a protective ozone layer, a safe radiation environment,

clean air should ensure for every people of this country.

c) Thriving wetlands and good quality of ground water.

d) Sustainable forests for future and the present time.

e) Waste management and biological diversity.

Achievement by Implying these Key Factors:

a) The decision making process is integrated.

b) Maximum people can take a fresh air at time of breath.

c) Every people can grow crops for their necessity and they surplus it.

8. Comparative Analysis of the Environment Policy between Bangladesh and Developed

Countries

The environment policy of Bangladesh and mentioned developed countries are compared
here for understanding the situation of the environment of Bangladesh and other countries.
All countries policies are not same, having some similarity and dissimilarity, for comparing
it; I have tried to mention some dissimilarity of this country and the situation of this sector.

8.1 Agriculture:

Still today agriculture has major contribution in the gross domestic product of Bangladesh.
This sector is the source of livelihood for a huge number of citizens. But some of the
activities related to this sector have harmful impact on environment. On the other hand
develop countries has no impact in this sector, the agricultural are not huge here like
Bangladesh and they are not depended on.

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8.2 Industrial Sector:

Economic development in free market mechanisms greatly depends on the role and efficiency
of the private sector. But, they have already developed in this sector. Develop and implement
viable models of public-private partnerships for setting up and operating secure landfills,
incinerators, and other appropriate techniques for the treatment and disposal of toxic and
hazardous waste, both industrial and biomedical.

8.3 Energy and Fuel:

To ensure efficient use of environmental resources in the sense of minimizing, adverse

environmental impacts, intra-generational equity, Inter-generational equity should ensure for
everyone.

8.4 Coastal and Marine Environment:

Guidelines for coastal and marine environment in the Environment Policy of Bangladesh and
Australia are very much dissimilar. But European Policy addresses the institutional issue to
address the coastal and marine environment.

8.5 Housing and Urbanization:

Australian and American environment policy do not address housing and urbanization issue
as specific as it is mentioned in the Bangladeshi policy. But this section should provide some
directives about the content and context of the relevant laws and also its effective
implementation.

8.6 Population:

No suggestion is given here about the population control to protect environment. Moreover,
this section should clarify the impact of huge population on environment by comparing it
with the impact of lesser population with higher consumption.

8.7 Science, Technology and Research:

The entire seven environment policies emphasized to the research work, technology and
scientific approach regarding environmental protection and productivity. Following directives
will make this section more specific and purpose oriented.

Sustainable use of natural resources should ensure for all countries for getting a better
environment.

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 a) Integrated decision making

b) Active participation in the environmental community and all sectors

c) Decentralization

According to the environment policy of Bangladesh and developed countries following

principles could be incorporated in the Environment policy of Bangladesh

a) Conservation of nature’s vitality and diversity

b) The Precautionary Approach

c) Preventive Action

Both precautionary and preventive approach is needed to handle the pollution and
degradation of the environment.

a) Every country has tried to continue improvement in the quality of the environment

There is no upper limit of the quality of the environment. At the same time it is not possible
to stop pollution totally. Therefore it is needed to adopt the approach of continuous
improvement in the quality of the environment, the policy of every country has tried to clear
it.

a) Without commitment and accountability the environmental situation cannot be

developed.

Without having commitment to enhance the quality of the environment, no such positive
initiatives will be taken. On the other hand commitment is not enough to ensure the desire
outcome. Therefore accountability of the environment related activities should be ensured.

a) Economic Efficiency

b) Polluter Pays

c) Cost Minimization

d) Equity

For a developing traditional society command and control is the unavoidable mechanism to
ensure environment compliance.

a) Environmental Standard Setting

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To prevent the pollution and degradation it is necessary to set some standard so that pollution
and degradation can be measured and can be controlled on the basis of that standard.

9. Enforcement of Environmental Laws

Environmental protection is the responsibility of all states. However, the responsibility for
environmental degradation does not fall equally on each state because each state has taken a
different development path causing some states to carry more of the burden of environmental
protection (Grubb et. al, 2002).

States cannot legally intervene in the internal functioning of other states. Sovereign states
have the legal right to further development and to pursue policies that are perceived to be in
their national interest, despite environmental consequences that may extend beyond political
boundaries (Bavaud, 1998).

As stated earlier, states have sovereign rights over their natural resources. As such, each state
controls how its laws are enforced. Even though many governments of Third World countries
are still in the developing stages, other states must respect each country's national sovereignty
and its capacity to enforce its own environmental laws. If industrialized countries are allowed
to enter a Third World country in order to enforce that country's environmental laws, then
state sovereignty will be destroyed. If state sovereignty is destroyed, years of international
customs, treaties and general principles will be seen as invalid.

Since environmental damage in one state can damage the environment of another state, some
kind of enforcement must be established. Instead of trying to enforce the environmental laws
of Third World countries, efforts should be made to help these countries set up agencies
within their own borders to create and enforce environmental regulations.

Many Third World countries are making a conscious effort to enforce their own
environmental regulations. For some countries environmental enforcement is a new concept
because they are used to massive deregulation or no laws at all. This is how most Third
World countries get most of their corporate business. Many corporations set up their business
operations in Third World countries because there is little or no enforcement of
environmental regulations. However, some Third World countries have decided that
corporate dollars are not worth losing their natural resources (Corden, 1994).

Even though the problem of environmental degradation is immediate allowing industrialized

countries to enforce the environmental laws of Third World countries will not alleviate the

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problem. Furthermore, many Third World countries certainly will not allow another country
to enforce their environmental laws. An act of this magnitude may be seen as an attempt to
take over the government of the country, especially in Third World countries with unstable
governments.

Although many international treaties, customs and general principles are not adequate to
handle the world's environmental problems, they may offer hope to some Third World
countries (De Vries et al, 2005). Since many Third World countries are in the initial stages of
creating and enforcing their own environmental regulations, international agreements offer a
framework for these countries to imitate. Furthermore, many international agreements, such
as treaties, also offer Third World countries the ability to enforce environmental laws against
countries that violate international environmental laws. This power further eliminates the
need for other countries to come into Third World countries and attempt to enforce their
environmental laws.

Instead of trying to enforce the environmental laws of Third World countries, developed
countries should create new ways of ensuring that the developmental problems attributed to
Third World countries, such as poverty, are not allowed to cause irreparable damage to the
earth's natural resources.

Another reason that the environmental laws of Third World countries cannot be enforced by
other countries is because the government of each country should be respected and allowed to
deal with its country's problems within its own borders. Many of these countries have science
and technological skills that are equal to those of more industrialized countries. Furthermore,
if industrialized countries are allowed to go into Third World countries and enforce those
countries environmental laws, does that mean Third World countries will be allowed to go
enforce the industrialized countries environmental laws. For many years and even today,
industrialized countries have caused many of the world's environmental problems, yet no
Third World country has been allowed to go into these countries to enforce their
environmental laws.

Many of the environmental problems in Third World countries come from their ties with
industrialized countries. Industrialized countries and many multinational corporations have
been dumping toxic wastes in Third World countries, yet on numerous occasions they have
blamed Third World countries for polluting the environment. Before the world's
environmental problems can be addressed industrialized countries must take responsibility for

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their part in causing the world's environmental problems instead of blaming the Third World
countries. One way industrialized countries can take responsibility is to lead by example. As
many industrialized countries make efforts to slow environmental degradation within their
borders, Third World countries may be compelled to do the same (Jaffe et al, 1995).

In many parts of the world Third World countries are seen as poor little countries strickened
by poverty, illiteracy and corrupt government officials. In many Third World countries this is
true, but many countries have stable governments and are developing at a rapid pace.
Moreover, there are some industrialized countries where poverty, illiteracy and corrupt
government officials are also a problem.

Furthermore, industrialized countries should not be allowed to enforce the environmental

laws of Third World countries because Third World countries are capable of enforcing their
own environmental laws with the help of industrialized countries and international
organizations, such as the World Bank (Greenstone et al, 2012). One way that industrialized
countries can help Third World countries to enforce their environmental laws is through
investing in environmental protection projects, such as helping the Chinese build energy
efficient electric generating stations with smokestack controls, in order to prevent acid rain
(Moran & P. A. P, 1950). Some observers think that the World Bank's main goal should be
underwriting the prevention and control of global pollution. If Third World countries can
attract foreign investment to help fund their environmental projects, it would be easier to
enforce environmental laws as well as curb further environmental problems. However, many
of the answers sought by Third World countries may well come from their own citizens who
live with these problems on a daily basis.

10. Conclusion

Growing, industrialization, urbanization, mechanization, use of fertilizer and pesticides

in agriculture and mismanagement to dump human waste is costing economic growth in the
form of increased pollution and environmental degradation, especially in developing
countries where environmental laws usually don‘t exist or are relatively less strict. Though
pollution and growth go side by side do not imply that countries should stop developing or
compromise their pace of growth for controlling pollution, by any means. Combating
pollution and enhancing growth can be attained together by analyzing what factors or
technologies responsible in the growth process that cause pollution, and by replacing such
pollution boosting technologies by relatively more environment friendly ones.

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In the process of strengthening the environmental law enforcement mechanism, on one hand,
we should fully mobilize all aspects of environmental law enforcement, such as legislative
bodies and law enforcement agencies, public welfare organizations, television,
newspapers , enterprises, people and so on, all of them should play their own role to make
up a reasonable and organic structure system; on the other hand, various management
means, such as government regulation, legal sanctions, fines, persuasion, denounce, they also
need to form an organic structural system. If regulation and economic incentives failed,
in order not to cause chaos, it is necessary to give full play to the role of public forces
in society, and put this force in a fundamental position. Apart from relying on the automatic
regulation of government control by the "Pigou means" and the market mechanism by the
"Coase means", we should also constantly improve people's environmental awareness
and improve the informal institutions and social mechanism of environmental protection.

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